Tube holder and interconnector system

ABSTRACT

A tube holder for connecting a tube to an interconnector which has clamping dogs, and comprising a base one end of which carries rigid clamping lugs which are adapted to engage the clamping dogs on said inconnector to clamp said holder and said interconnector together when said holder and said interconnector are placed together and relatively rotated, and a resilient intermediate component which can be expanded to engage the internal wall of said tube by an expander actuated by a tension screw which has a head located at the same end of said tube holder as said clamping lugs.

United States Patent 1191 Busselmeier 1 TUBE HOLDER AND INTERCONNECTORSYSTEM [76] Inventor: Otto Busselmeier, Hebbelstrasse 15,

' D-5828 Ennepetal Milspe, Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 29, 1973 21 Appl.No.: 327,880

130] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 31, 1972 Germany 22044611521 US. Cl... 403/194, 403/252, 403/297, 403/349 [51] Int. Cl Fl6b12/40 I [58] Field of Search 403/240, 252, 263, 292,

[ 1 Jan. 7, 1975 3,563,581 2/1971 Sommerstein....; 52/758 C 3,719,3763/1973 Johnson 403/263 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 281,187 12/1914Germany 403/348 106,150 5/1917 Great Britain.. 403/187 1,361,398 4/1964France 403/187 431,196 2/1967 Switzerland 403/187 PrimaryExaminer-Werner H. Schroeder 5 7] ABSTRACT A tube holder for connectinga tube to an interconnector which has clamping dogs, and comprising abase one end of which carries rigid clamping'lugs whichare adapted toengage the clamping dogs on said inconnector to clamp said holder andsaid interconnector together when said holder and said interconnectorare placed together and relatively rotated,

. and a resilientintermediate component which can be expanded to engagethe internal wall of said tube by V an expander actuated byatensionscrew which has a head located :at the same end of said tubeholder as said clamping lugs.

20 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN H975.

. SHEET 1 [IF 3 TUBE HOLDER AND INTERCONNECTOR SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION on the tube holder, in either direction, can be clampedtogether; a resilient intermediate component of the tube holder beingforced against the internal wall of the tube by means of a tensioner.

One tube holder is known in which the cuboid interconnector and/or thetube holder itself, has curvilinear tracks and slider pins. The tubeholder is introduced into the tube and its clamping lugs directed intothe interconnector. By rotating the tube which is then in position uponthe tube holder, a resilient intermediate component inside the tube iscompressed with the aid of a tensioner and thus loaded against theinternal wall of the tube. At the same time, clamping takes placebetween the tube holder and the cuboid interconnector, through theagency of the dogs and clamping lugs.

In this embodiment, stringent requirements are imposed upon the materialand the accuracy of manufacture, and if tube internal'tolerances differwidely, it cannot be ensured that an adequately solid connection will beproduced. The present invention separates the function of fixing thetube holder inside the tube, from that of clamping the tube holder tothe cuboid interconnector.

According to the present invention a tube holder for connecting a tubeto an interconnector which has.

clamping dogs comprises a base one end of which carries rigid clampinglugs which are adapted to engage the clamping dogs on saidinterconnector to clamp said holder and said interconnector togetherwhen said holder and said interconnector are placed together andrelatively rotated, and a resilient intermediate component which can beexpanded to engage the internal 'wall of said tube by an expanderactuated by a tension screw which has a head located at the same end ofsaid tube holder as said clamping lugs.

The tube is fixed to the tube holder by the expansion of spreader armson the resilient intermediate component, using a wedge-like expander,operated by the tension screw, the operation taking place in a region orplane perpendicular to the tube axis. The tube holder with the spreaderarms in the relaxed retracted state, has a greater or lesser degree ofclearance in the tube, because of the latters internal dimensionaltolerances, and this clearance, outside the region or plane where theexpansion of the spreader arms takes place within the tube, is stillpresent to a partial extent, even after fixing has taken place.Consequently, the fixed tube holder, although it is attached to thecuboid interconnector in a fixed backlash-free fashion, can tilt acertain amount in the tube, under bending loads, and this has thedisadvantage of giving the joint a certain resilience. If frequentalternating bending loads are applied, it may happen that the fixed tubeholder will shift some distance out of the tube.

A further example avoids this drawback however by virtue of the factthat the tube holder is provided with a second resilient intermediatecomponent which can be expanded in a plane perpendicular to the axis ofsaid tube in which it is to be used, said plane being spaced apartaxially from the perpendicular plane of expansion of said firstresilient intermediate component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be performed invarious ways and a number of embodiments will now be described by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

FIG. 1 is a section through a cuboid interconnector and with a firsttube holder illustrated partially in section and partially in elevation,and a plan view of part of a second tube holder inserted in theinterconnector at right angles to the first,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the tube holders shown in FIG. 1, i

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the cuboid interconnector shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a section on the line IVIV of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the expander used in the tube holder shown inFIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a section through the expander,

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the tube holder partially in sectionand partially in elevation,

FIG. 8shows the two resilient intermediate components used in theconstruction shown in FIG. 7, partially'in' section,

FIG. 9 is a plan view in the direction of the arrow IX on one of theintermediate components,

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment partially in elevation and partially insection,

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment in section and side elevation,

FIG. 12 shows a further variant embodiment in section and sideelevation, and,

FIG. 13 shows a sixth embodiment partially in section and partially inside elevation and plan, considered in the direction of the arrow X.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The cuboid interconnector1 shown in FIG. 1 consists of two identical parts 3 and 3' which haveprongs 4 and corresponding recesses 5 which interlock with one anotherwhen the two parts are assembled so that they -are accurately located inthe correct position for a brazing operation which holds the partstogether, and the cube thus made is then hardened. All six sides of thecube have identical openings 6 each of which has four recesses 7.Between these recesses, pointing towards the interior arefourrcurvilinear projections or cams 8 which 1 have been punchedinwards, in the manner shown in FIG. 4. The recesses 7 are directedtowards the side of the cube, whilst the cams 8 are directed towards thecorners and are thus each located upon a diagonal.

A first tube holder 2 shown half in section and half I in elevation isshown engaged in the lower opening 6 of clamping lugs 15, a tensionscrew 18 and an expander 12. The base 9 has a shoulder 13 which preventsthe tube holder 2 from slipping into the tube 20 which it is holding.The hardened tensioner 11 has four laterally projecting clamping lugs 15and is embedded in the base 9 which is made of synthetic material sothat the clamping lugs 15 point diagonally towards the corners. Theexpander 12, has a pocket 16 containing a squareheaded nut 17 which isengaged by the screw 18. The expander 12 in the form of a regularoctagonal pyramid so that it can be assembled in arbitrary positions inco-operation with taper surfaces 14 on the rear internal surfaces of thespreader arms 10. The screw head 22 is located in the region inside thetensioner 11 with its clamping lugs 15.

In order to establish the connection between squaresection tubes 20, anassembly of a frame tube holder is first inserted into the tube up tothe shoulder 13, and v secured there by tightening up the screw 18.Rotation of the screw 18, causes the expander 12 to move in thedirection of the taper surfaces 14 on the spreader arms 10, until thetaper surfaces 19 contact them. As the screw 18 is rotated further, thespreader arms are forced outwards and are thus loaded firmly intocontact with the corner surfaces of the tube 20 so that the latter issecurely connected to the tube holder 2. Instead of a nut 17, the bore21 in the expander 12 can be internally threaded to co-operate with thescrew 18.

The tensioner 11, with its clamping lugs 15 is now introduced into anopening 6 in the cube 1, the square profile of tube and cube beingarranged at an angle of 45 to one another. By forceful rotation through45 in one direction or the other, usingsuitable spanners, the clampinglugs 15 of the tube holders 2 can be engaged behind the cams or dogs 8formed in the opening 6 of the cube 1, the relevant sideplate of thehardened cube being resiliently distorted by a small amount. In thisfashion a very secure connection between cube and tube holder isobtained. In the same fashion, if required, tubes can be connected toall the other sides of faces 114 at their inner ends. Also, the base 109has four chamfered surfaces 123, supplementary to those shown in thefirst example. The expander 1 12 additionally possesses four spreaderarms 124 with chamfered surfaces 125 and also has four-chamferedsurfaces 119,

corresponding with the tapered surfaces 19 of thefirst example.

When assembled together, as shown in FIG. 7, the tube holder isintroduced into a tube 20 and there fixed by tightening up the screw118. In so doing, by the action of the' surfaces 123 on the surfaces125, the spreader arms 124 of the expander 112 are clamped in the tube20 in the neighbourhood of the plane A-A, whilst at the same time thesurfaces 119 act upon the surfaces 114 so that the spreader arms 110 ofthe base 109 are secured in the tube in the neighbourhood of the planeB-B. The spreader arms 110 of the base 109 are pressed, as in the caseof the first example, into the internal corners of the tube whilst thespreader arms 124 of the expander 112 are loaded against the flatinternal walls of the tube. The axial interval between the planes A-Aand 8-8 means that the system of securing the tube holder inside thetube is particularly resistant to bending and buckling stresses, evenunder conditions of frequent load alternation.

In addition to the embodiment described, tube holders with the'featuresof the present invention, could also be designed for other materials andfor other tube profiles.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, all the components are made ofmetal.The expander 12' is a dishlike sheet metal component with a threadedcentral bore in which a tension screw 18 engages. The base 9" is rigidlyattached to the end 9 of a cupped sheet metal component whose wallsconsist of spreader arms 10' and a tensioner 11' with clamping lugs 15is rigidly connected to the base 9".

the cube, through the medium of tube holders, for ex- By application ofthe features of the invention, a

whole series of other constructions can be achieved. For example, theexpander 12 can be in the form of a deep-drawn metalcomponent with athreaded bore and the spreader arms can likewise consist of sheet steel.

If a frame or rack is to be dismantled and re-erected at another point,for example a requirement which occurs in the case of measuringequipment, then the tube holders remain attached to the tube sections sothat the assembly time for re-erection is shortened and additionalattachments to the frame can be produced without the need to change anyof the connectors.

In the second embodiment to be described and as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and9, the tube holder, made primarily of synthetic plastics material isintended for use with square-section tubes andconsists of a base 109 inwhich tensioner 111, with its clamping lugs 115, is embedded, and anexpander 112 and a tensioner screw 118 with the nut 117 are provided.The base 109 has four spreader arms 110 provided with chamfered sur- Inthe case of the tube holder shown in'FIG. -l l, a tensioner 311,with'clamping lugs 315, is rigidly attached to a base 309. Rigidlyconnected to the'base 309 is an intermediate component 3'10 and arranged'within the intermediate component, and between tensioner plates 312 and312", is an expander 312 which consists of an resilientma'terial, forexample, rubber. The front tensioner plate 312",Iike the expander 312,is provided with a bore, whilst the rear tensioner plate 312' has athreaded bore in which a screw 318 engages. When the screw 318 isrotated, the expander 312 is clamped be tween the tensioner plates 312'and 312" so that the spreader arms 310' of the intermediate component310 are forced outwards. As shown in the righthand illustration of FIG.11, the spreader arms 310' are formed by L-shaped cut-outs 310' in theintermediate component 310. By using this shape of cut-outs the spreaderarms 310 bear against the internal wall of the tube which is to beclamped, over virtually their entire length.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, a tubular tensioner 411 with clamping lugs415, is rigidly attached to a base 409. Inside the tubular tensioner411, there is a rigid shoulder 427 against which the head of a tensionscrew 418 can seat. Rigidly connected to the base 409 is an intermediatecomponent 410, preferentially in two mutually opposite locations 428.The tension screw 418 engages in a threaded bore in the tensioner plate412 and within the intermediate component 410, once again there is anexpander 412 of resilient material, surrounding a tubular tensioner 411.The tensioner plate 412' is provided with a shoulder 426 which serves tocentralise the tensioner plate 412' of the sleeve-like tensioner 411.

In the example of FIG. 12, the intermediate component is provided withseveral cut-outs 410", extending in the longitudinal direction, so thatseveral spreader arms 410' are formed. The fixing of the tube holder inthe tube, is thus effective over virtually the full length of the tubeholder.

In a final embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, a base 509 is once againrigidly connected to a tubular tensioner 511 which has clamping lugs515. Within the tubular tensioner a shoulder 527 is provided againstwhich thehead of a tension screw 518 seats, the end of the screw 518engaging in a threaded bore in an expander 512. This capshaped expander512 enshrouds the rear end of a part 526 of an intermediate component510. Said part 526 is guided on the outside of the tensioner 511 andalso at the centre, over the section 529. The intermediate component 510has several spreader arms 510, U-shaped and articulated at their ends,which arms, when the expander 512 is tightened up by the screw 518,expand towards the tube which is to be fixed. The bottom part of FIG. 13shows the position of the spreader arms 510 relatively to a tube 20 towhich the holder is to be secured.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within thescope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:

1. A tube holder and interconnector system for the assembly anddismantling of frames and structures made up of at least two profiledtubes comprising:

multi-sided; bridging interconnector means (1) for connecting the tubestogether having an opening (6) therein with dogs (8) associatedtherewith in at least two of its sides; and

at least two tube holders (2,2'), each comprising a base (9, 109, 9',309, 409, 509), one end of which carries rigid clamping lugs (15, 115,315, 415, 515);

a tension screw (18, 118, 18, 318, 418, 518) having a head located atthe same end of said tube holder as said clamping lugs;

an expander (12, 112, 12', 312, 412, 512) actuated by said tensionscrew; and

an intermediate component (10, 110, 310,

410, 510) located between said base and said expander and beingexpandable to engage the internal wall of the tube by said expanderbeing actuated by said screw;

said tube holders being designed to be clamped to said interconnectormeans by means of inserting said lugs into said openings and rotatingsaid lugs with respect to said dogs until said lugs and said dogsinterlock.

2. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said clamping lugs are rigidly connected to said base and in whichsaid screw passes through said base and is seated with said head againstsaid end carrying said clamping lugs.

3. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 2, inwhich said tube holder further includes an anchor (11, 111, 311, 411,511), said clamping lugs being integrally part of said anchor, and saidanchor being rigidly connected to said base; and wherein the shape ofsaid lugs and said anchor correspond with the profile of said openingsprovided in said interconnector.

4. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 3 inwhich said clamping lugs and said clamping dogs have the same radialdimensions.

5. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 4 inwhich said clamping lugs and said dogs are engaged on diagonals of saidinterconnector.

6. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 2 inwhich said screw head is located within the area defined by saidclamping lugs.

7. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said expander is conical in shape in its axial plane and hastapered surfaces, and in which said intermediate component includesseveral spreader arms which also have tapered, internal surfaces whichare engaged by the tapered surfaces on the expander when said expanderis actuated by said screw.

8. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 7 inwhich said expander has a pocket extending at right angles to the axisof said screw and in which pocket a nut is located which is threaded onsaid screw.

9. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 7 inwhich four spreader arms are provided and wherein said expander in itsradial plane is in the shape of a regular octagonal pyramid.

10. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 1 inwhich a second intermediate component is provided which can be expandedin a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube in which it is to beused, said plane being spaced apart axially from the perpendicular planeof expansion of said first interme diate component.

11. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 10 inwhich said base has chamfered faces, and said second intermediatecomponent being provided by spreader arms formed on said expander,

- said expander spreader arms having chamfered faces which engage thoseon the base.

12. A tubeholder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 11 inwhich said expander with spreader arms is made from one piece of asynthetic plastics material.

13. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 11 inwhich said first intermediate component is provided by several spreaderarms on said base which are arranged at 45 to said spreader arms on saidexpander.

14. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 13 inwhich said spreader arems of said base are arranged in gaps between saidspreader arms of said expander.

15. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said expander comprises a resilient body and there is included atensioner plate on said expander, and wherein said intermediatecomponent comprises several spreader arms which surrounds said expander,and which, when said tension screw is actuated, is compressed by saidtensioner plate and acts with its peripheral surface to expand saidspreader arms of said intermediate component which surrounds it.

16. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 15 inwhich said spreader arms are said tension plate having a guide shoulderwhich guides said plate on said tension sleeve.

19. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said intermediate component has several U-shaped spreaderarms.

20. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 1wherein said interconnector is a cube and has an opening with the dogsassociated therewith on everyone of its six faces.

1. A tube holder and interconnector system for the assembly anddismantling of frames and structures made up of at least two profiledtubes comprising: multi-sided, bridging interconnector means (1) forconnecting the tubes together having an opening (6) therein with dogs(8) associated therewith in at least two of its sides; and at least twotube holders (2,2''), each comprising a base (9, 109, 9'', 309, 409,509), one end of which carries rigid clamping lugs (15, 115, 315, 415,515); a tension screw (18, 118, 18'', 318, 418, 518) having a headlocated at the same end of said tube holder as said clamping lugs; anexpander (12, 112, 12'', 312, 412, 512) actuated by said tension screw;and an intermediate component (10, 110, 10'', 310, 410, 510) locatedbetween said base and said expander and being expandable to engage theinternal wall of the tube by said expander being actuated by said screw;said tube holders being designed to be clamped to said interconnectormeans by means of inserting said lugs into said openings and rotatingsaid lugs with respect to said dogs until said lugs and said dogsinterlock.
 2. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed inclaim 1 in which said clamping lugs are rigidly connected to said baseand in which said screw passes through said base and is seated with saidhead against said end carrying said clamping lugs.
 3. A tube holder andinterconnector system as claimed in claim 2, in which said tube holderfurther includes an anchor (11, 111, 311, 411, 511), said clamping lugsbeing integrally part of said anchor, and said anchor being rigidlyconnected to said base; and wherein the shape of said lugs and saidanchor correspond with the profile of said openings provided in saidinterconnector.
 4. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed inclaim 3 in which said clamping lugs and said clamping dogs have the sameradial dimensions.
 5. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimedin claim 4 in which said clamping lugs and said dogs are engaged ondiagonals of said interconnector.
 6. A tube holder and interconnectorsystem as claimed in claim 2 in which said screw head is located withinthe area defined by said clamping lugs.
 7. A tube holder andinterconnector system as claimed in claim 1 in which said expander isconical in shape in its axial plane and has tapered surfaces, and inwhich said intermediate component includes several spreader arms whichalso have tapered, internal surfaces which are engaged by the taperedsurfaces on the expander when said expander is actuated by said screw.8. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 7 inwhich said expander has a pocket extending at right angles to the axisof said screw and in which pocket a nut is located which is threaded onsaid screw.
 9. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed inclaim 7 in which four spreader arms are provided and wherein saidexpander in its radial plane is in the shape of a regular octagonalpyramid.
 10. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim1 in which a second intermediate component is provided which can beexpanded in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube in which it isto be used, said plane being spaced apart axially from the perpendicularplane of expansion of said first intermediate component.
 11. A tubehOlder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 10 in which saidbase has chamfered faces, and said second intermediate component beingprovided by spreader arms formed on said expander, said expanderspreader arms having chamfered faces which engage those on the base. 12.A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed in claim 11 in whichsaid expander with spreader arms is made from one piece of a syntheticplastics material.
 13. A tube holder and interconnector system asclaimed in claim 11 in which said first intermediate component isprovided by several spreader arms on said base which are arranged at 45*to said spreader arms on said expander.
 14. A tube holder andinterconnector system as claimed in claim 13 in which said spreaderarems of said base are arranged in gaps between said spreader arms ofsaid expander.
 15. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed inclaim 1 in which said expander comprises a resilient body and there isincluded a tensioner plate on said expander, and wherein saidintermediate component comprises several spreader arms which surroundssaid expander, and which, when said tension screw is actuated, iscompressed by said tensioner plate and acts with its peripheral surfaceto expand said spreader arms of said intermediate component whichsurrounds it.
 16. A tube holder and interconnector system as claimed inclaim 15 in which said spreader arms are formed by L-shaped cut-outs insaid intermediate component.
 17. A tube holder and interconnector systemas claimed in claim 15 in which said spreader arms are formed bycut-outs directed axially towards one another in said surroundingintermediate component.
 18. A tube holder and interconnector system asclaimed in claim 15 in which there is further included a tension sleevewhich carries said clamping lug and wherein said expander surrounds saidtension sleeve, said tension plate having a guide shoulder which guidessaid plate on said tension sleeve.
 19. A tube holder and interconnectorsystem as claimed in claim 1 in which said intermediate component hasseveral U-shaped spreader arms.
 20. A tube holder and interconnectorsystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein said interconnector is a cube andhas an opening with the dogs associated therewith on everyone of its sixfaces.